Shopping in Poland

Poland is a country that offers a lot of variety and value for shoppers, whether you are looking for clothes, cosmetics, jewelry, food, or souvenirs. You can find everything from traditional handicrafts and local delicacies to modern malls and outlets with international brands. In this article, we will give you some tips and recommendations on how to shop like a pro in Poland, covering the following topics:

How to Shop Like a Pro in Poland: A Guide for Fashion Lovers and Bargain Hunters

Store hours

One of the first things you need to know before you go shopping in Poland is the store hours. Unlike some other European countries, most shops in Poland are open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. However, there are some exceptions, such as:

• On Sundays, only some shops are open, usually from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is because of a law that limits the number of Sundays that shops can operate per year. In 2023, there will be only seven shopping Sundays: January 30, April 10, May 29, June 26, August 28, December 11 and December 18.
• On public holidays, most shops are closed, except for some convenience stores and gas stations.
• In smaller towns and villages, some shops may close earlier or have shorter opening hours on Saturdays.

To avoid disappointment, it is always a good idea to check the opening hours of the shops you want to visit online or on their doors.

Sales

If you are looking for bargains and discounts, you should plan your shopping trip according to the sales seasons in Poland. There are two main sales periods: winter and summer. The winter sales usually start in January and last until February or March, while the summer sales start in July and last until August or September. During these periods, you can find discounts of up to 70% on clothing, shoes, accessories, and more.

However, you don’t have to wait for the sales seasons to find good deals in Poland. There are also other occasions when shops offer promotions and discounts, such as:

1. Black Friday: The last Friday of November, when many shops offer huge discounts on various products.
2. Cyber Monday: The Monday after Black Friday, when online shops offer special deals on electronics and gadgets.
3. Women’s Day: March 8th, when many shops offer discounts and gifts for women.
4. Children’s Day: June 1st, when many shops offer discounts and gifts for children.
5. Valentine’s Day: February 14th, when many shops offer discounts and gifts for couples.

What to buy in Poland

Poland is a country with a rich culture and history, which is reflected in its products and souvenirs. Here are some of the things you should consider buying when you shop in Poland:

Clothes and shoes

Poland is a great destination for fashion lovers, as it offers a wide range of clothing stores with different styles and prices. You can find everything from high-end boutiques and designer labels to fast-fashion chains and vintage shops. Some of the most popular clothing stores in Poland are:

• Reserved: A Polish brand that offers trendy and affordable clothes for men, women, and children.
• Mohito: A Polish brand that offers feminine and elegant clothes for women.
• House: A Polish brand that offers casual and urban clothes for men and women.
• Cropp: A Polish brand that offers streetwear and sportswear for young people.
• Sinsay: A Polish brand that offers fashionable and cheap clothes for teenage girls.

If you are looking for shoes, you can also find many options in Poland. Some of the most popular shoe stores are:

• CCC: A Polish brand that offers shoes for men, women, and children at reasonable prices.
• Deichmann: A German brand that offers shoes for men, women, and children at low prices.
• Ryłko: A Polish brand that offers high-quality leather shoes for men and women.
• Ecco: A Danish brand that offers comfortable shoes for men and women.

Goods for children

If you are shopping for children, you can find many stores that offer toys, clothes, books, and more. Some of the most popular stores for children are:

• Smyk: A Polish chain that offers toys, clothes, books, and accessories for children of all ages.
• Empik Junior: A Polish chain that offers books, games, puzzles, and educational materials for children.
• Coccodrillo: A Polish brand that offers clothes and accessories for babies and children.
• 5.10.15: A Polish brand that offers clothes and accessories for children up to 12 years old.

Cosmetics

Poland is also a great place to buy cosmetics, as it has many local brands that offer high-quality products at affordable prices. Some of the most popular cosmetic brands in Poland are:

• Inglot: A Polish brand that offers a wide range of makeup products with vibrant colors and long-lasting formulas.
• Ziaja: A Polish brand that offers natural and gentle skincare products for different skin types and needs.
• Bielenda: A Polish brand that offers skincare products based on plant extracts and innovative ingredients.
• Eveline: A Polish brand that offers makeup and skincare products for women and men.

Jewelry

Poland is famous for its amber and silver jewelry, which are beautiful and unique souvenirs. You can find many shops that sell amber and silver jewelry in Poland, especially in the coastal cities like Gdansk and Sopot. Some of the best places to buy amber and silver jewelry are:

• Metal Gallery: A gallery that showcases the works of young and talented Polish jewelers, who create original and modern pieces with amber and silver.
• M Gallery: A gallery that exhibits the works of renowned Polish jewelers, who create classic and elegant pieces with amber and silver.
• Kruk: A Polish brand that offers jewelry with various materials and designs, including pieces with Kujawian patterns painted on ceramics and jewelry with striped flint stone, the stone of optimism.

Food and wine

Poland is also a country with a rich culinary tradition, which you can taste and bring home with you. Some of the food and wine products you should buy in Poland are:

• Oscypki: Traditional smoked cheese made from sheep’s milk in the mountainous regions of Poland. They have a distinctive shape and flavor, and can be eaten plain or grilled.
• Gingerbread: Spicy and sweet cookies made from honey, flour, eggs, and spices. They are a specialty of Torun, where you can find many varieties and shapes of gingerbread.
• Sausage: One of the most popular meat products in Poland, which comes in different types and flavors. You can find sausage in any grocery store or butcher shop in Poland, or buy it directly from the producers at markets or fairs.
• Vodka: The national drink of Poland, which is made from various grains or potatoes. You can find many brands and flavors of vodka in Poland, but some of the most famous ones are Zubrowka (with bison grass), Krzeska (with herbs), Soplica (with fruits), or Wyborowa (pure).
• Mead: An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water. It is one of the oldest drinks in Poland, dating back to the Middle Ages. You can find different types of mead in Poland, such as trójniak (one part honey to two parts water), dwójniak (one part honey to one part water), or półtorak (two parts honey to one part water).
• Wine: Although Poland is not a major wine producer, it has some regions that produce quality wines from local grapes. You can find wines from Podkarpacie (with rondo or seyval blanc grapes), Lubuskie (with solaris or regent grapes), or Dolny Śląsk (with rondo or pinot noir grapes).

Polish Shopping Centers

Poland has many shopping centers that offer a variety of shops, services, entertainment, and dining options. You can find shopping centers in almost every city in Poland, but some of the most popular ones are located in Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk.

Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital and the largest city of Poland, which means it has plenty of shopping opportunities for everyone. Some of the best shopping centers in Warsaw are:

• Zlote Tarasy: A modern shopping center located next to the central railway station. It has over 200 shops, including international brands like H&M, Zara, Mango, or Sephora. It also has a cinema complex, a food court, a rooftop garden, and a concert hall.
• Arkadia: The largest shopping center in Warsaw and one of the largest in Europe. It has over 300 shops, including international brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, or Swarovski. It also has a cinema complex, a bowling alley, a fitness club, a playground, and a food court.

Krakow

Krakow is the former capital and the cultural heart of Poland, which means it has a lot of charm and history to offer to visitors. It also has some of the best shopping centers in Poland, such as:

• Galeria Krakowska: A modern shopping center located next to the main railway station. It has over 250 shops, including international brands like Reserved, Mohito, House, Cropp, or Sinsay. It also has a cinema complex, a food court, and a rooftop terrace with a view of the Old Town.
• Galeria Kazimierz: A stylish shopping center located in the trendy district of Kazimierz. It has over 130 shops, including international brands like H&M, Zara, Mango, or Sephora. It also has a cinema complex, a fitness club, a playground, and a food court with a variety of cuisines.
• Bonarka City Center: A large shopping center located in the southern part of Krakow. It has over 270 shops, including international brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, or Swarovski. It also has a cinema complex, a bowling alley, a fitness club, a playground, and a food court with a wide range of options.

Gdansk

Gdansk is a coastal city that has a rich maritime history and a vibrant atmosphere. It is also a great place to shop for amber and silver jewelry, as well as other products. Some of the best shopping centers in Gdansk are:

• Galeria Baltycka: A modern shopping center located in the central part of Gdansk. It has over 200 shops, including international brands like Reserved, Mohito, House, Cropp, or Sinsay. It also has a cinema complex, a fitness club, a playground, and a food court with various options.
• Forum Gdansk: A new shopping center located next to the Old Town. It has over 170 shops, including international brands like H&M, Zara, Mango, or Sephora. It also has a cinema complex, a fitness club, a playground, and a food court with different cuisines.
• Galeria Przymorze: A cozy shopping center located in the northern part of Gdansk. It has over 100 shops, including international brands like CCC, Deichmann, Ryłko, or Ecco. It also has a cinema complex and a food court with several choices.

Outlets in Poland

If you are looking for even more discounts and bargains on clothing and shoes, you should visit one of the outlets in Poland. Outlets are shopping centers that sell products from previous seasons or collections at reduced prices. You can find outlets in different regions of Poland, such as:

1. Factory Outlet: A chain of outlets that offer products from over 120 brands at discounts of up to 70%. You can find Factory Outlets in Warsaw (Annopol and Ursus), Krakow (Modlniczka), Poznan (Franowo), Wroclaw (Bielańska), Lodz (Pabianice), and Gdansk (Rumia).
2. Fashion House Outlet: A chain of outlets that offer products from over 100 brands at discounts of up to 70%. You can find Fashion House Outlets in Warsaw (Piaseczno), Sosnowiec (near Katowice), and Gdansk (Sobieszewo).
3. Designer Outlet: An outlet that offers products from over 80 brands at discounts of up to 70%. You can find Designer Outlet in Sosnowiec (near Katowice).

Markets

If you prefer to shop for local products and experience the authentic atmosphere of Poland, you should visit one of the markets in Poland. Markets are places where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, cheese, bread, and other products from local farmers and producers. You can also find antiques, books, clothes, and other items at flea markets. Some of the best markets in Poland are:

• Sukiennice (Cloth Hall): A historic building in the Main Market Square of Krakow, where you can find stalls selling souvenirs, handicrafts, amber jewelry, and more. It is one of the oldest and most iconic markets in Poland.
• Market Place: A modern market located in the Old Town of Warsaw, where you can find stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, cheese, meat, and more. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Bazar Staroci Na Kole: A flea market located in the district of Ochota in Warsaw, where you can find stalls selling antiques, books, records, clothes, and more. It is open every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Bazar Slubice: A cross-border market located in the town of Slubice near Frankfurt (Oder), where you can find stalls selling clothes, shoes, electronics, cosmetics, and more. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Mlyn Sulkowice Market: A market located in the village of Sulkowice near Krakow, where you can find stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, meat, honey, and more. It is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tax free

If you are a non-EU resident and you spend more than 200 PLN on goods in Poland, you can claim a tax refund of up to 23% of the purchase price. To do so, you need to follow these steps:

1. Ask for a tax free form at the store where you buy the goods. You need to show your passport or ID card and provide your address and signature.
2. Keep the tax free form and the receipt with you until you leave Poland.
3. At the airport or border crossing point, show your tax free form, receipt, passport or ID card, and the goods to the customs officer. The customs officer will stamp your tax free form as proof of export.
4. After leaving Poland, send your stamped tax free form and receipt to the tax refund company that issued it (such as Global Blue or Premier Tax Free). You can choose to receive your refund by cash, credit card, or bank transfer.

Conclusion

Poland is a country that has a lot to offer to shoppers of all tastes and budgets. You can find a variety of products and services at different types of shopping venues, such as shopping centers, outlets, markets, and online shops. You can also enjoy discounts and promotions during sales seasons and special occasions. And if you are a non-EU resident, you can claim a tax refund on your purchases. Shopping in Poland is not only fun and rewarding but also an opportunity to discover its culture and history. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your shopping trip to Poland today!